Vamp-stay for shoes.



F. W. MERRIOK.

VAMP STAY FOR SHOES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1905.

1,088,665. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH CcUwAsmNnToN. D. c.

UNITED STATE S PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. MERRICK, OFIBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STAY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

VAMP-STAY FOR SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. MERRICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vamp-Stays for Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Prior to the present invention the vampstays in general use for the purpose of preventing the vamp of a shoe from tearing or giving way under strain and wear at the lower end of the front opening of the shoe have been formed of a piece of material doubled and folded upon itself to form a hard and finished folded edge to show above the upper edge of the vamp with which it is used, the said edge being molded into convex shape so that in use only a short segment thereof projects into sight. The described character of the stay necessitates a folding operation in the course of its manufacture. The folded stay has a tendency to open or unfold after being manufactured, rendering it necessary to close or fold the same at the time of applying it to the vamp, and also rendering it necessary for the operator to pay special attention to retainin it in folded condition while it is being stitc ed in place. The folding of the material of which the stay is composed doubles the thickness of the stay, and, evenin those instances in which the folded-over portion has been reduced in size so as to render it smaller than the larger body-portion upon which it lies, the increase in thickness resulting from superimposing one layer of the stay upon another makes the presence of the stay underneath the vamp of a shoe plainly discernible in consequence of the upward bulge of the vamp, the contour of the stay being visibly outlined on the front of the finished shoe. In making application of a stay of one of the kinds heretofore in use there has been a tendency to deflection of the stay when the needle of the sewing machine by which the stitching is being done arrives at and strikes the first edge of the stay in making the seam. So also there is a tendency for the presser-foot to catch against the prominence at the edge of the stay, and as a result thereof to deflect the stay. In molding the folded edge of the stay into convex shape, as aforesaid, the free marginal portion of the folded over ortion or flap is left more or less full. Ciinsequently, after the stitching this portion is capable of stretching more or less upon the application of strain to opposite portions of the vamp, w th the result that such strain is allowed to come upon the stitches, causing the latter to break.

The objects of the invention are to provide a vamp-stay having a finished reinforced and beaded edge capable of being produced without a folding operation; to obviate the folding operation and the tendency of the stay thereby produced to unfold; to provide a vamp-stay which will not produce an elevation or bunch of the vamp under which it is employed, and the presence of which beneath the vamp will not be discernible; to obviate the tendency of the stay to become deflected by the needle or presser-foot of the sewing machine by which it is secured in place; and to provide a vamp-stay of flat and substantially uniform character having no fullness to extend and allow strain to come on stitchesand break the latter.

. The invention consists in a vamp-stay for shoes, having a thin body or apron of single unitary thickness without break in uniformity through the length thereof, and which underlies a vamp without causing unevenness of the latter, and also having a solid unfolded raised bead which lies outside and close against the exposed edge of the vamp.

The invention consists, further, in a vampstay for shoes, having a thin body or apron of single unitary thickness without break in uniformity through the length thereof, with the opposite two ends thereof, and preferably the lower edge thereof, gradually tapered in thickness, the said body adapted to underlie a vamp without causing unevenness of the latter, the vamp-stay also having a solid unfolded raised bead which lies outside and close against the exposed edge of the vamp.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which latter,-

Figure 1 shows in elevation a vamp-stay embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a top edge view thereof. Fig. 3 is a view showing the same in transverse section. Fig. 4 shows portion of a shoe with a vamp-stay embodying the invention in place therein.

Fig. 3.- Along one, edge it is formed with a...

solid raised, 2'. e., unfolded bead 3, which projects at one surface of the stay. The

said bead gives a finish and at the same time v body or apron of single unitary thickness without break in uniformity through the length thereof, with the opposite two ends -thereof;.gradually tapered in thickness, and which underlies a. vamp without causing unevenness of the latter, and a solid unfolded raised bead which lies outside and close against the exposed edge of the vamp.

reinforces the stay. The opposite portion l, and the two lateral portions or ends 5, 5, are gradually reduced or tapered infthick ness to their edges. Preferably this gradual reduction or taper is secured by skiving the said portions to their edges.

A vamp-stay embodying the invention cannot change its form or shape prior to, being secured ina shoe, as in consequence of opening out or unfolding, as in the case of a vamp-stay consisting of material which is folded upon itself. No special difiiculty is experienced in holding and securing the same in place during the operationofas sembling the parts of theupper and forming the vam -seam 14, Fig. 4:, inasmuch as it' me; no ten ency to be deflected in the man ner previously explained. The raised solid bead lies unobstrusively alongside the free edge; 15 of leather, while the tapering or skiving of the portions 4, 5, 5, obviates the production of ridges or bunches in the leather beneath which the stay is concealed.

I claim as my invention l. A vamp-stay for shoes,hav-i-ng a thin without causing unevenness of the latter, and

a solid unfolded raised bead which lies outside and close against the exposed edge .of the I vamp.

2. A vamp-stay for shoes, having the thin 3. A vamp-stay for shoes, having thethin body or apron of single unitary thickness ;without break in uniformity through the length thereof, with the opposite two ends .thereof and itslower edge tapered to-thin edges, and which underlies a vamp without causing unevenness of the latter, and a solid; unfolded raised bead which lies outside and close against theexposed edge of the vamp. In testimony whereof I afdx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK \V. MERRIQK. Witnesses:

CHAS. F. RANDALL, EDITH J; ANDERSON.

Copies of this. patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o f Patents, Washington, D. C. 4 

